Friday, November 18, 2011

How do I save my peonies from botrytis?

Im pretty sure this is what they have. They are wilting and cannot flower. I dont see any fungus on them, but the tips of the leaves have started to yellow... what, if anything, can I do to save them so they will come back, if not this season then next? Thanks!

How do I save my peonies from botrytis?
The most frequently occurring pests are botrytis blight and leaf blotch, both fungal diseases. Especially prevalent during wet springs, botrytis affects leaves, stems and flowers. Spots appear on leaves, stems soften and decay and flowers either rot or buds blacken and fail to open. Prompt removal of infected material and a thorough fall cleanup are essential for control.





Leaf blotch develops during warm, moist weather. Glossy, dark purple spots form on the upper surfaces of leaves. Again, removal of infected leaves and good fall cleanup are necessary for control. Avoid overhead irrigation.





The primary control of future botrytis infections is cultural. Deadhead your spent %26amp; infected blooms. Clean up any debris around your peonies. Cut your peonies down to 2-3" in fall. Burn all the plant debris or discard in the trash. Do not overheat water your peonies. Water at the base of your plants. Botrytis likes humidity. Prune the shrubs around your peonies to improve air flow. Mulch your peonies. The link I have provided gives some good details on identifing Botrytis on flower petals versus thrips or old age.
Reply:Get advice from your local nursery, they know what to do.


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